About Volume 1

Volume 1 covers the basics of drumming -- the fundamentals. It starts with this introduction, a technique lesson, and a meter lesson. Then it follows with lessons that explore rhythm and various aspects of drumming.

Getting the Most Out of this Book

Since Volume 1 serves the dual purpose of first method book and review book, beginners and advanced players will get different things out of it.

For those just getting startedin drums, read the introductory material and proceed straight through Volume 1 from lesson 1 through lesson 23. Start each practice session with a warm up using either lesson 1 or 2 of this volume. If you already know 8thnotes and accents, then build your chops after you warm up using Appendix B as written. Play along with the audio files as part of your daily practice sessions. Except for lesson 1, play only to the 100 BPM files.

Advanced playerscan skip certain lessons or parts of lessons that are obviously targeting new drummers. Start each practice session with a warm up either using the exercises in lesson 1 or appendix A, and build your chops using appendix B as written or using one of the variations. Strive for a very high quality musical sound. Play the audio files as part of your daily practice sessions focusing on the slowest and fastest audio files.

About the SRC Three Volume Series

This thorough and balanced exploration of rhythm, notation, technique, and musicianship has several purposes. You can use this series as a complete primer to playing orchestral snare or as a precursor to playing rudimental snare, drum set, timbales, or any other percussion instrument that uses drumsticks. Advanced players and professionals can use this fast-paced exploration of their craft to fine-tune their timing and sight-reading abilities and to fill in holes in their education. I have tried to use a practical approach and I hope you find it valuable during your entire career.

Here is what I tried to do with the lessons:

Rhythm - Each lesson introduces new rhythmic elements. I tried to keep a fast pace while providing a thorough exploration. After completing the lessons, you will be equipped to correctly interpret and understand nearly any rhythm. If you play along with the audio files available with this series, your timing will improve and, with consistent practice, you will be able to play nearly anything you want.

Notation - When appropriate, the lessons include clear explanations and alternative notation styles such as the use of 1-line and 5-line staffs, stems up or down, flams and ruffs with and without ties, and many other commonly occurring variations in drum notation.

Technique - This series covers most drumstick-based techniques including grip, building chops, flams, ruffs, closed roll techniques, and more. Although most of the technique information is included in Lesson 1 Technique, there are gems of knowledge spread throughout. All three volumes contain an appendix A and B. In each of the three volumes, appendix A is a warm up and appendix B contains chop building exercises.

Musicianship - Having the ability to sight-read is one thing, but music notation is just part of the bigger picture. Where appropriate, this series delves into such subjects as interpretation, playing with others, dynamics, tempo, etc.

While developing these lessons, I strove for a fast pace and an even amount of coverage for each topic. In addition, each lesson is as complete as possible and is as independent from the other lessons as reasonable. This allows you to review a lesson and focus on the topic of the lesson. You will find yourself returning to various lessons throughout your career to review or re-enforce your playing abilities. Some of the lessons serve as excellent reference sources including such lessons as repeats, dynamics, tempo markings, etc.

Play-Drums.com

You will find supplemental information at the following internet address:

This is the official website for this series and includes free movies that demonstrate various techniques included in this series as well as related material such as marching snare, drum set playing, and other exercises.

Download the MP3 Audio Files

In order to perfect your timing and ability to play at various tempos, you need to hear the rhythms and play along with them. Free MP3 audio files for the lessons in this series are available for download. You can play them on your computer, download them to your MP3 player, or burn them to CD. Get the files now at